News Notes – Summer 2021
Celebrating the achievements of UF College of Medicine alumni
Raymond L. Benza, MD '89
Raymond L. Benza, MD ’89, was appointed division director of cardiovascular medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Benza previously served as system director of advanced heart failure, cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and pulmonary vascular diseases at the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, as well as the James A. Magovern Chair in Cardiovascular Research and a professor of medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.
G. Nicholas Verne, MD, HS ’93
Nicholas Verne, MD, HS ’93, was named chair of the department of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, as well as the Lemuel W. Diggs Alumni Professor in Medicine. Verne, who completed a gastroenterology fellowship at UF, previously served as chair of the department of medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine and chief medical officer for the university’s health system. Verne is also a participant of the UF College of Medicine’s Legacy Challenge scholarship initiative.
David Diamond, MD ’94
David Diamond, MD ’94, was appointed to a four-year term on the Florida Board of Medicine by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Diamond, a radiation oncologist in Winter Park who has treated about 12,000 adults and children with cancer, also served for six years as a special adviser to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Amy Reeves, MPAS ’06
Amy Reeves, MPAS ’06, a physician assistant at Wellstar Medical Group Pediatrics at Brookstone in Kennesaw, Georgia, was named PA of the Year by the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants in September.
Jeffrey Held, MD ’98
Jeffrey Held, MD ’98, was named vice president for medical affairs of Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. Held previously served as vice president and chief medical officer for ambulatory services for BayCare Health System Inc. in Safety Harbor, Florida.
Greg Zipfel, MD, HS ’03
Greg Zipfel, MD, HS ’03, was named chair of the department of neurosurgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and neurosurgeon-in-chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Zipfel, who completed a neurosurgery residency at UF, was also appointed as the inaugural Ralph G. Dacey distinguished professor of neurological surgery. His surgical practice focuses on cerebrovascular disease and complex tumors that grow near the base of the skull.
